Apparatus for tissue repair

Abstract

An apparatus includes first and second fixation members, a flexible member coupled to the first and second fixation members, and a limiting element coupled to the flexible member. The limiting element is movable relative to the second fixation member and acts to limit loosening of the flexible member relative to the second fixation member. The limiting element can be slidably received by the flexible member. The flexible member can be coupled to the fixation members such that pulling on a free end of the flexible member shortens a length of the flexible member between the fixation members.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for tissue repair, comprising:
 first and second fixation members, the first fixation member comprising a cylindrical body having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween; and 
 a flexible member forming a knot, the flexible member including:
 a first loop, having a portion less than the entire first loop that passes through the knot; 
 a first section threaded around and through the first loop and coiled around the first loop; and 
 a second section passing through a second loop at least partially formed by the first section and terminating at a free end of the flexible member; 
 
 wherein the first fixation member further comprises first and second parallel through holes for receiving the flexible member, each of the first and second through holes extending through a first surface and through a second surface opposite the first surface transverse to the longitudinal axis; 
 wherein the second fixation member is slidably attached to the first loop and is trapped on the first loop by the knot and the first fixation member is substantially immovably attached to the free end of the flexible member; and 
 wherein the first and second fixation members are the same. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible member comprises a suture. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1  being preassembled for use in a surgical procedure. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible member is routed through the first through hole of the first fixation member from the first surface to the second surface, across the second surface, and then through the second through hole from the second surface to the first surface. 
     
     
       5. An apparatus for use in a surgical procedure, comprising:
 first and second fixation members, the first fixation member comprising a cylindrical body having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween; and 
 a flexible member coupling the first and second fixation members, the flexible member having two terminal ends, one of the terminal ends terminating at the first fixation member, the flexible member forming a slip knot, the slip knot including a pair of loops surrounding the flexible member that passes through the slip knot, such slip knot being between the fixation members and being preformed prior to use of the apparatus in a form for use, a first loop having a portion that is less than the entire first loop which passes through the slip knot; 
 wherein the first fixation member further comprises first and second parallel through holes for passage of the flexible member, each of the first and second through holes extending through a first surface and through a second surface opposite the first surface transverse to the longitudinal axis; 
 wherein the second fixation member is trapped on the first loop by the slip knot, the slip knot acting to limit slipping of the first loop; and 
 wherein the first and second fixation members are the same. 
 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the flexible member comprises a suture. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the flexible member is routed through the first through hole of the first fixation member from the first surface to the second surface, across the second surface, and then through the second through hole from the second surface to the first surface. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the flexible member is movably coupled to the second fixation member. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the flexible member extends substantially from the second fixation member to the first fixation member and terminates prior to extending back to the second fixation member and the flexible member is substantially immovably secured to the first fixation member and movably coupled to the second fixation member. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the knot is spaced from the first and second fixation members. 
     
     
       11. An apparatus for use in a surgical procedure, comprising:
 first and second fixation members, the first fixation member comprising a cylindrical body having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween; and 
 a flexible member coupling the first and second fixation members, the flexible member forming a slip knot, the slip knot including a pair of loops surrounding the flexible member that passes through the slip knot, such slip knot being between the first and second fixation members and being preformed prior to use of the apparatus in a form for use, a first loop having a portion that is less than the entire first loop which passes through the slip knot; 
 wherein the first fixation member further comprises first and second parallel through holes for passage of the flexible member, each of the first and second through holes extending through a first surface and through a second surface opposite the first surface transverse to the longitudinal axis; 
 wherein the second fixation member is trapped on the first loop by the slip knot, the slip knot acting to limit slipping of the first loop; 
 wherein the flexible member extends substantially from the second fixation member to the first fixation member and terminates prior to extending back to the second fixation member; and 
 wherein the first and second fixation members are the same. 
 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the flexible member comprises a suture. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the flexible member is routed through the first through hole of the first fixation member from the first surface to the second surface, across the second surface, and then through the second through hole from the second surface to the first surface. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the flexible member is movably coupled to the second fixation member. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the flexible member is substantially immovably secured to the first fixation member and movably coupled to the second fixation member. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the knot is spaced from the first and second fixation members.